mh_parser/vol_split/42 - Luke/Chapter 9.xml

<div2 id="Luke.x" n="x" next="Luke.xi" prev="Luke.ix" progress="53.84%" title="Chapter IX">
<h2 id="Luke.x-p0.1">L U K E.</h2>
<h3 id="Luke.x-p0.2">CHAP. IX.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Luke.x-p1">In this chapter we have, I. The commission Christ
gave to his twelve apostles to go out for some time to preach the
gospel, and confirm it by miracles, <scripRef id="Luke.x-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.1-Luke.9.6" parsed="|Luke|9|1|9|6" passage="Lu 9:1-6">ver. 1-6</scripRef>. II. Herod's terror at the growing
greatness of our Lord Jesus, <scripRef id="Luke.x-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.7-Luke.9.9" parsed="|Luke|9|7|9|9" passage="Lu 9:7-9">ver.
7-9</scripRef>. III. The apostles' return to Christ, his retirement
with them into a place of solitude, the great resort of people to
them notwithstanding, and his feeding five thousand men with five
loaves and two fishes, <scripRef id="Luke.x-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.10-Luke.9.17" parsed="|Luke|9|10|9|17" passage="Lu 9:10-17">ver.
10-17</scripRef>. IV. His discourse with his disciples concerning
himself and his own sufferings for them, and their for him,
<scripRef id="Luke.x-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.18-Luke.9.27" parsed="|Luke|9|18|9|27" passage="Lu 9:18-27">ver. 18-27</scripRef>. V. Christ's
transfiguration, <scripRef id="Luke.x-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.28-Luke.9.36" parsed="|Luke|9|28|9|36" passage="Lu 9:28-36">ver.
28-36</scripRef>. VI. The cure of a lunatic child, <scripRef id="Luke.x-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.37-Luke.9.42" parsed="|Luke|9|37|9|42" passage="Lu 9:37-42">ver. 37-42</scripRef>. VII. The repeated
notice Christ gave his disciples of his approaching sufferings,
<scripRef id="Luke.x-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.43-Luke.9.45" parsed="|Luke|9|43|9|45" passage="Lu 9:43-45">ver. 43-45</scripRef>. VIII. His
check to the ambition of his disciples (<scripRef id="Luke.x-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.46-Luke.9.48" parsed="|Luke|9|46|9|48" passage="Lu 9:46-48">ver. 46-48</scripRef>), and to their monopolizing the
power over devils to themselves, <scripRef id="Luke.x-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.49-Luke.9.50" parsed="|Luke|9|49|9|50" passage="Lu 9:49,50">ver. 49, 50</scripRef>. IX. The rebuke he gave them
for an over-due resentment of an affront given him by a village of
the Samaritans, <scripRef id="Luke.x-p1.10" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.51-Luke.9.56" parsed="|Luke|9|51|9|56" passage="Lu 9:51-56">ver.
51-56</scripRef>. X. The answers he gave to several that were
inclined to follow him, but not considerately, or not zealously and
heartily, so inclined, <scripRef id="Luke.x-p1.11" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.57-Luke.9.62" parsed="|Luke|9|57|9|62" passage="Lu 9:57-62">ver.
57-62</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Luke.x-p1.12" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9" parsed="|Luke|9|0|0|0" passage="Lu 9" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Luke.x-p1.13" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.1-Luke.9.9" parsed="|Luke|9|1|9|9" passage="Lu 9:1-9" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Luke.9.1-Luke.9.9">
<h4 id="Luke.x-p1.14">The Mission of the Twelve
Apostles.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Luke.x-p2">1 Then he called his twelve disciples together,
and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure
diseases.   2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God,
and to heal the sick.   3 And he said unto them, Take nothing
for <i>your</i> journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread,
neither money; neither have two coats apiece.   4 And
whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.
  5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that
city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony
against them.   6 And they departed, and went through the
towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.   7 Now
Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was
perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen
from the dead;   8 And of some, that Elias had appeared; and
of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.   9
And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I
hear such things? And he desired to see him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p3">We have here, I. The method Christ took to
spread his gospel, to diffuse and enforce the light of it. He had
<i>himself</i> travelled about, preaching and healing; but he could
be only in one place at a time, and therefore now he <i>sent</i>
his twelve disciples abroad, who by this time were pretty well
instructed in the nature of the present dispensation, and able to
instruct others and <i>deliver to them</i> what they had
<i>received from the Lord.</i> Let them disperse themselves, some
one way and some another, to <i>preach the kingdom of God,</i> as
it was now about to be set up by the Messiah, to make people
acquainted with the spiritual nature and tendency of it, and to
persuade them to come into the interests and measures of it. For
the confirming of their doctrine, because it was new and
surprising, and very different from what they had been taught by
the scribes and Pharisees, and because so much depended upon men's
receiving, or not receiving it, he empowered them to work miracles
(<scripRef id="Luke.x-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.1-Luke.9.2" parsed="|Luke|9|1|9|2" passage="Lu 9:1,2"><i>v.</i> 1, 2</scripRef>): He
<i>gave them authority over all devils,</i> to dispossess them, and
cast them out, though ever so numerous, so subtle, so fierce, so
obstinate. Christ designed a total rout and ruin to the kingdom of
darkness, and therefore gave them power over <i>all</i> devils. He
authorized and appointed them likewise to <i>cure disease,</i> and
to <i>heal the sick,</i> which would make them welcome wherever
they came, and not only convince people's judgments, but gain their
affections. This was their commission. Now observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p4">1. What Christ directed them to do, in
prosecution of this commission at this time, when they were not to
<i>go far</i> or be <i>out long.</i> (1.) They must not be
solicitous to recommend themselves to people's esteem by their
outward appearance. Now that they begin to set up for themselves,
they must have no dress, nor study to make any other figure than
what they made while they followed him: they must <i>go as they
were,</i> and not change their clothes, or so much as put on a pair
of new shoes. (2.) They must depend upon Providence, and the
kindness of their friends, to furnish them with what was convenient
for them. They must not take with them <i>either bread or
money,</i> and yet believe they should not want. Christ would not
have his disciples <i>shy</i> of receiving the kindnesses of their
friends, but rather to <i>expect</i> them. Yet St. Paul saw cause
not to go by this rule, when he <i>laboured with his hands</i>
rather than be burdensome. (3.) They must not change their
lodgings, as suspecting that those who entertained them were
<i>weary</i> of them; they have no reason to be so, for the ark is
a guest that always pays well for its entertainment: "<i>Whatsoever
house ye enter into there abide</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.x-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.4" parsed="|Luke|9|4|0|0" passage="Lu 9:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>), that people may know where to
find you, that your friends may know you are not backward to
<i>serve</i> them, and your enemies may know you are not ashamed
nor afraid to <i>face</i> them; <i>there abide</i> till you
<i>depart</i> out of that city; stay with those you are used to."
(4.) They must put on authority, and speak <i>warning</i> to those
who <i>refused</i> them as well as comfort to those that
<i>received</i> them, <scripRef id="Luke.x-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.5" parsed="|Luke|9|5|0|0" passage="Lu 9:5"><i>v.</i>
5</scripRef>. "If there be any place that will not entertain you,
if the magistrates deny you admission and threaten to treat you as
vagrants, leave them, do not force yourselves upon them, nor run
yourselves into danger among them, but at the same time bind them
over to the judgment of God for it; <i>shake off the dust of your
feet</i> for a <i>testimony against them.</i>" This will, as it
were, be produced in evidence against them, that the messengers of
the gospel had been among them, to make them a fair offer of grace
and peace, for this dust they left behind there; so that when they
perish at last in their infidelity this will lay and leave their
blood upon their own heads. <i>Shake off the dust of your feet,</i>
as much as to say you abandon their city, and will have no more to
do with them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p5">2. What they did, in prosecution of this
commission (<scripRef id="Luke.x-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.6" parsed="|Luke|9|6|0|0" passage="Lu 9:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>):
<i>They departed</i> from their Master's presence; yet, having
still his spiritual presence with them, his <i>eye</i> and his
<i>arm</i> going along with them, and, thus borne up in their work,
they <i>went through the towns,</i> some or other of them, all the
towns within the circuit appointed them, <i>preaching the gospel,
and healing every where.</i> Their work was the same with their
Master's, doing good both to souls and bodies.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p6">II. We have here Herod's perplexity and
vexation at this. The communicating of Christ's power to those who
were sent forth in his name, and acted by authority from him, was
an <i>amazing</i> and <i>convincing</i> proof of his being the
Messiah, above any thing else; that he could not only work miracles
<i>himself,</i> but empower others to work miracles too, this
spread his fame more than any thing, and made the rays of this
<i>Sun of righteousness</i> the stronger by the <i>reflection</i>
of them even from <i>the earth,</i> from such mean illiterate men
as the apostles were, who had nothing else to recommend them, or to
raise any expectations from them, but that <i>they had been with
Jesus,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.x-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.4.13" parsed="|Acts|4|13|0|0" passage="Ac 4:13">Acts iv. 13</scripRef>. When
the country sees such as these <i>healing the sick</i> in the name
of Jesus it gives it an alarm. Now observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p7">1. The <i>various speculations</i> it
<i>raised</i> among the <i>people,</i> who, though they thought not
<i>rightly,</i> yet could not but think <i>honourably,</i> of our
Lord Jesus, and that he was an extraordinary person, one come from
the other world; that either John Baptist, who was lately
persecuted and slain for the cause of God, or <i>one of the old
prophets,</i> that had been persecuted and slain long since in that
cause, was <i>risen again,</i> to be recompensed for his sufferings
by this honour put upon him; or that Elias, who was taken alive to
heaven in a fiery chariot, <i>had appeared</i> as an express from
heaven, <scripRef id="Luke.x-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.7-Luke.9.8" parsed="|Luke|9|7|9|8" passage="Lu 9:7,8"><i>v.</i> 7, 8</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p8">2. The <i>great perplexity</i> it
<i>created</i> in the mind of Herod: <i>When he had heard of all
that was done</i> by Christ, his guilty conscience flew in his
face, and he was ready to conclude with them that <i>John was risen
from the dead.</i> He thought he had got clear of John, and should
never be troubled with him any more, but, it seems, he is mistaken;
either John is come to life again or here is another in his spirit
and power, for God will never <i>leave himself without witness.</i>
"What shall I do now?" saith Herod. "John <i>have I beheaded, but
who is this?</i> Is he carrying on John's work, or is he come to
avenge John's death? John baptized, but he does not; <i>John did no
miracle,</i> but he does, and therefore appears more formidable
than John." Note, Those who oppose God will find themselves more
and more <i>embarrassed.</i> However, he <i>desired to see him,</i>
whether he resembled John or no; but he might soon have been put
out of this pain if he would but have informed himself of that
which thousands knew, that Jesus preached, and wrought miracles, a
great while before John was beheaded, and therefore could not be
John raised from the dead. He <i>desired to see him;</i> and why
did he not go and see him? Probably, because he thought it <i>below
him</i> either to go to him or to send for him; he had enough of
John Baptist, and cared not for having to do with any more such
reprovers of sin. He desired to see him, but we do not find that
ever he did, till he saw him at his bar, and then <i>he and his men
of war set him at nought,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.x-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.23.11" parsed="|Luke|23|11|0|0" passage="Lu 23:11">Luke
xxiii. 11</scripRef>. Had he prosecuted his convictions now, and
gone to see him, who knows but a happy change might have ben
wrought in him? But, delaying it now, his heart was hardened, and
when he did see him he was as much prejudiced against him as any
other.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Luke.x-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.10-Luke.9.17" parsed="|Luke|9|10|9|17" passage="Lu 9:10-17" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Luke.9.10-Luke.9.17">
<h4 id="Luke.x-p8.3">The Multitude Miraculously
Fed.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Luke.x-p9">10 And the apostles, when they were returned,
told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside
privately into a desert place belonging to the city called
Bethsaida.   11 And the people, when they knew <i>it,</i>
followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the
kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.   12
And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said
unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns
and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are
here in a desert place.   13 But he said unto them, Give ye
them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two
fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people.
  14 For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his
disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.   15
And they did so, and made them all sit down.   16 Then he took
the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he
blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before
the multitude.   17 And they did eat, and were all filled: and
there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve
baskets.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p10">We have here, I. The account which the
twelve gave their Master of the success of their ministry. They
were not long out; but, <i>when they returned, they told him all
that they had done,</i> as became servants who were sent on an
errand. They told him <i>what they had done,</i> that, if they had
done any thing amiss, they might mend it next time.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p11">II. Their <i>retirement,</i> for a little
<i>breathing:</i> He <i>took them, and went aside privately into a
desert place,</i> that they might have some relaxation from
business and not be always upon the stretch. Note, He that hath
appointed our man-servant and maid-servant to rest would have his
servants to rest too. Those in the most public stations, and that
are most publicly useful, must sometimes go aside privately, both
for the repose of their bodies, to recruit them, and for the
furnishing of their minds by meditation for further public
work.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p12">III. The <i>resort</i> of the people to
him, and the kind <i>reception</i> he gave them. They
<i>followed</i> him, though it was into a <i>desert place;</i> for
that is no desert where Christ is. And, though they hereby
disturbed the repose he designed here for himself and his
disciples, yet he <i>welcomed</i> them, <scripRef id="Luke.x-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.11" parsed="|Luke|9|11|0|0" passage="Lu 9:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>. Note, Pious zeal may excuse a
little rudeness; it did with Christ, and should with us. Though
they came unseasonably, yet Christ gave them what they came for. 1.
He <i>spoke unto them of the kingdom of God,</i> the laws of that
kingdom with which they must be bound, and the privileges of that
kingdom with which they might be blessed. 2. He <i>healed them that
had need of healing,</i> and, in a sense of their need, made their
application to him. Though the disease was ever so inveterate, and
incurable by the physicians, though the patients were ever so poor
and mean, yet Christ <i>healed them.</i> There is healing in Christ
for all that <i>need</i> it, whether for soul or body. Christ hath
still a power over bodily diseases, and heals his people that
<i>need healing.</i> Sometimes he sees that we need the
<i>sickness</i> for the good of our souls, more than the
<i>healing</i> for the ease of our bodies, and then we must be
willing <i>for a season,</i> because <i>there is need,</i> to be in
<i>heaviness;</i> but, when he sees that we <i>need healing,</i> we
shall have it. Death is his servant, to heal the saints of <i>all
diseases.</i> He heals spiritual maladies by his graces, by his
comforts, and has for each what the case calls for; relief for
every exigence.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p13">IV. The plentiful provision Christ made for
the multitude that attended him. With <i>five loaves</i> of bread,
and <i>two fishes,</i> he fed <i>five thousand men.</i> This
narrative we had twice before, and shall meet with it again; it is
the only miracle of our Saviour's that is recorded by all the four
evangelists. Let us only observe out of it, 1. Those who diligently
attend upon Christ in the way of duty, and therein deny or expose
themselves, or are made to forget themselves and their outward
conveniences by their zeal for God's house, are taken under his
particular care, and may depend upon <i>Jehovah-jireh—The Lord
will provide.</i> He will not see those that fear him, and serve
him faithfully, want any good thing. 2. Our Lord Jesus was of a
free and generous spirit. His disciples said, <i>Send them away,
that they may get victuals;</i> but Christ said, "No, <i>give ye
them to eat;</i> let what we have go as far as it will reach, and
they are welcome to it." Thus he has taught both ministers and
Christians to <i>use hospitality without grudging,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.x-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.4.9" parsed="|1Pet|4|9|0|0" passage="1Pe 4:9">1 Pet. iv. 9</scripRef>. Those that have but a
little, let them do what they can with that little, and that is the
way to make it more. <i>There is that scatters, and yet
increases.</i> 3. Jesus Christ has not only physic, but food, for
all those that by faith apply themselves to him; he not only
<i>heals them that need healing,</i> cures the diseases of the
soul, but feeds them too that need feeding, supports the spiritual
life, relieves the necessities of it, and satisfies the desires of
it. Christ has provided not only to save the soul from perishing by
its diseases, but to nourish the soul unto life eternal, and
strengthen it for all spiritual exercises. 4. All the gifts of
Christ are to be received by the church in a regular orderly
manner; <i>Make them sit down by fifties in a company,</i>
<scripRef id="Luke.x-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.14" parsed="|Luke|9|14|0|0" passage="Lu 9:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. Notice is here
taken of the number of each company which Christ appointed for the
better distribution of the meat and the easier computation of the
number of the guests. 5. When we are receiving our
creature-comforts, we must <i>look up to heaven.</i> Christ did so,
to teach us to do so. We must acknowledge that we receive them from
God, and that we are unworthy to receive them,—that we owe them
all, and all the comfort we have in them, to the mediation of
Christ, by whom the curse is removed, and the covenant of peace
settled,—that we depend upon God's blessing upon them to make them
serviceable to us, and desire that blessing. 6. The blessing of
Christ will make a little go a great way. The <i>little that the
righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked, a
dinner of herbs better than a stalled ox.</i> 7. Those whom Christ
<i>feeds</i> he <i>fills;</i> to whom he gives, he gives enough; as
there is in him enough for <i>all,</i> so there is enough for
<i>each.</i> He replenishes every hungry soul, abundantly satisfies
it with the <i>goodness of his house.</i> Here were <i>fragments
taken up,</i> to assure us that in our Father's house there is
<i>bread enough, and to spare.</i> We are not straitened, or
stinted, in him.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Luke.x-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.18-Luke.9.27" parsed="|Luke|9|18|9|27" passage="Lu 9:18-27" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Luke.9.18-Luke.9.27">
<h4 id="Luke.x-p13.4">Peter's Enlightened Testimony;Self-Denial
Enjoined.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Luke.x-p14">18 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying,
his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say
the people that I am?   19 They answering said, John the
Baptist; but some <i>say,</i> Elias; and others <i>say,</i> that
one of the old prophets is risen again.   20 He said unto
them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ
of God.   21 And he straitly charged them, and commanded
<i>them</i> to tell no man that thing;   22 Saying, The Son of
man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and
chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third
day.   23 And he said to <i>them</i> all, If any <i>man</i>
will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross
daily, and follow me.   24 For whosoever will save his life
shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the
same shall save it.   25 For what is a man advantaged, if he
gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?   26
For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall
the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and
<i>in his</i> Father's, and of the holy angels.   27 But I
tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not
taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p15">In these verses, we have Christ discoursing
with his disciples about the great things that <i>pertained to the
kingdom of God;</i> and one circumstance of this discourse is taken
notice of here which we had not in the other evangelists-that
Christ was <i>alone praying,</i> and his <i>disciples with him,</i>
when he entered into this discourse, <scripRef id="Luke.x-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.18" parsed="|Luke|9|18|0|0" passage="Lu 9:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>. Observe, 1. Though Christ had
much public work to do, yet he found some time to be <i>alone</i>
in private, for converse with himself, with his Father, and with
his disciples. 2. When Christ was alone he was <i>praying.</i> It
is good for us to improve our solitude for devotion, that, <i>when
we are alone,</i> we may <i>not be alone,</i> but may have <i>the
Father with us.</i> 3. When Christ was alone, praying, his
<i>disciples were with him,</i> to join with him in his prayer; so
that this was a family-prayer. Housekeepers ought to pray with
their households, parents with their children, masters with their
servants, teachers and tutors with their scholars and pupils. 4.
Christ <i>prayed</i> with them before he <i>examined</i> them, that
they might be directed and encouraged to answer him, by his prayers
for them. Those we give instructions to we should put up prayers
for and with. He discourses with them,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p16">I. Concerning himself; and enquires,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p17">1. What <i>the people</i> said of him:
<i>Who say the people that I am?</i> Christ knew better than they
did, but would have his disciples made sensible, by the mistakes of
others concerning him, how happy they were that were led into the
knowledge of him and of the truth concerning him. We should take
notice of the ignorance and errors of others, that we may be the
more thankful to him who has <i>manifested himself to us, and not
unto the world,</i> and may <i>pity</i> them, and do what we can to
help them and to teach them better. They tell him what conjectures
concerning him they had heard in their converse with the common
people. Ministers would know better how to suit their instructions,
reproofs, and counsels, to the case of ordinary people, if they did
but converse more frequently and familiarly with them; they would
then be the better able to say what is proper to rectify their
notions, correct their irregularities, and remove their prejudices.
The more conversant the physician is with his patient, the better
he knows what to do for him. Some said that he was John Baptist,
who was beheaded but the other day; others Elias, or <i>one of the
old prophets;</i> any thing but what he was.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p18">2. What <i>they</i> said of him. "Now see
what an advantage you have by your discipleship; you know better."
"So we do," saith Peter, "thanks be to our Master for it; we know
that thou art <i>the Christ of God,</i> the <i>Anointed</i> of God,
the Messiah promised." It is matter of unspeakable comfort to us
that our Lord Jesus is <i>God's anointed,</i> for then he has
unquestionable authority and ability for his undertaking; for his
being <i>anointed</i> signifies his being both appointed to it and
qualified for it. Now one would have expected that Christ should
have charged his disciples, who were so fully apprized and assured
of this truth, to publish it to every one they met with; but no, he
<i>strictly charged them to tell no man that thing</i> as yet,
because there is a time for all things. After his resurrection,
which completed the proof of it, Peter made the temple ring of it,
that <i>God had made this same Jesus both Lord and Christ</i>
(<scripRef id="Luke.x-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.2.36" parsed="|Acts|2|36|0|0" passage="Ac 2:36">Acts ii. 36</scripRef>); but as yet
the evidence was not ready to be summed up, and therefore it must
be concealed; while it was so, we may conclude that the belief of
it was not necessary to salvation.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p19">II. Concerning his own <i>sufferings</i>
and <i>death,</i> of which he had yet said little. Now that his
disciples were well established in the belief of his being the
Christ, and able to bear it, he speaks of them expressly, and with
great assurance, <scripRef id="Luke.x-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.22" parsed="|Luke|9|22|0|0" passage="Lu 9:22"><i>v.</i>
22</scripRef>. It comes in as a reason why they must not yet preach
that he was <i>the Christ,</i> because the wonders that would
attend his death and resurrection would be the most convincing
proof of his being <i>the Christ of God.</i> It was by his
<i>exaltation</i> to the <i>right hand of the Father</i> that he
was fully declared to be <i>the Christ,</i> and by the sending of
the Spirit thereupon (<scripRef id="Luke.x-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.2.33" parsed="|Acts|2|33|0|0" passage="Ac 2:33">Acts ii.
33</scripRef>); and therefore wait till that is done.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p20">III. Concerning their sufferings for him.
So far must they be from thinking how to <i>prevent</i> his
sufferings that they must rather prepare for their own.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p21">1. We must <i>accustom</i> ourselves to all
instances of <i>self-denial</i> and <i>patience,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.x-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.23" parsed="|Luke|9|23|0|0" passage="Lu 9:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>. This is the best
preparative for martyrdom. We must live a life of self-denial,
mortification, and contempt of the world; we must not indulge our
ease and appetite, for then it will be hard to bear toil, and
weariness, and want, for Christ. We are <i>daily</i> subject to
affliction, and we must <i>accommodate</i> ourselves to it, and
<i>acquiesce</i> in the will of God in it, and must learn to endure
hardship. We frequently meet with crosses in the way of duty; and,
though we must not pull them upon our own heads, yet, when they are
laid for us, we must <i>take them up,</i> carry them after Christ,
and make the best of them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p22">2. We must <i>prefer the salvation and
happiness of our souls</i> before any <i>secular concern</i>
whatsoever. Reckon upon it, (1.) That he who to preserve his
liberty or estate, his power or preferment, nay, or to save his
life, denies Christ and his truths, wilfully wrongs his conscience,
and sins against God, will be, not only not a <i>saver,</i> but an
unspeakable <i>loser,</i> in the issue, when <i>profit</i> and
<i>loss</i> come to be balanced: <i>He that will save his life upon
these terms will lose it,</i> will lose that which is of infinitely
more value, his precious soul. (2.) We must firmly believe also
that, if we lose our life for cleaving to Christ and our religion,
we shall <i>save</i> it to our unspeakable advantage; for we shall
be abundantly recompensed in the resurrection of the just, when we
shall have it again a new and an eternal life. (3.) That the gain
of all the world, if we should forsake Christ, and fall in with the
interests of the world, would be so far from countervailing the
eternal loss and ruin of the soul that it would bear no manner of
proportion to it, <scripRef id="Luke.x-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.25" parsed="|Luke|9|25|0|0" passage="Lu 9:25"><i>v.</i>
25</scripRef>. If we could be supposed to gain all the wealth,
honour, and pleasure, in the world, by denying Christ, yet when, by
<i>so doing,</i> we <i>lose ourselves</i> to all eternity, and are
<i>cast away</i> at last, what good will our worldly gain do us?
Observe, In Matthew and Mark the dreadful issue is a man's
<i>losing his own soul,</i> here it is <i>losing himself,</i> which
plainly intimates that <i>our souls</i> are <i>ourselves. Animus
cujusque is est quisque—The soul is the man;</i> and it is well or
ill with us according as it is well or ill with our souls. If they
perish for ever, under the weight of their own guilt and
corruption, it is certain that <i>we</i> are undone. The body
cannot be happy if the soul be miserable in the other world; but
the soul may be happy though the body be greatly afflicted and
oppressed in this world. If a man be himself <i>cast away,</i>
<b><i>e zemiotheis</i></b>—<i>if he be damaged,</i>—or if he be
punished, <i>si mulctetur—if he have a mulct put upon his soul</i>
by the righteous sentence of Christ, whose cause and interest he
has treacherously deserted,—if it be adjudged a forfeiture of all
his blessedness, and the forfeiture be taken, where is his gain?
What is his hope?</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p23">3. We must therefore <i>never be
ashamed</i> of Christ and his gospel, nor of any disgrace or
reproach that we may undergo for our faithful adherence to him and
it, <scripRef id="Luke.x-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.26" parsed="|Luke|9|26|0|0" passage="Lu 9:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>. <i>For
whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the
Son of man be ashamed,</i> and justly. When the service and honour
of Christ called for his testimony and agency, he denied them,
because the interest <i>of Christ</i> was a <i>despised</i>
interest, and <i>every where spoken against;</i> and therefore he
can expect no other than that in the great day, when his case calls
for Christ's appearance on his behalf, Christ will be ashamed to
own such a cowardly, worldly, sneaking spirit, and will say, "He is
none of mine; he belongs not to me." As Christ had a state of
<i>humiliation</i> and of <i>exaltation,</i> so likewise has his
cause. They, and they only, that are willing to suffer with it when
it suffers, shall reign with it when it reigns; but those that
cannot find in their hearts to share with it in its
<i>disgrace,</i> and to say, <i>If this be to be vile, I will be
yet more vile,</i> shall certainly have no share with it in its
<i>triumphs.</i> Observe here, How Christ, to support himself and
his followers under present disgraces, speaks <i>magnificently</i>
of the lustre of his second coming, in prospect of which he
<i>endured the cross, despising the shame.</i> (1.) He shall come
<i>in his own glory.</i> This was not mentioned in Matthew and
Mark. He shall come in the glory of the Mediator, <i>all the
glory</i> which the Father <i>restored to him,</i> which he had
with God before the worlds were, which he had <i>deposited</i> and
<i>put in pledge,</i> as it were, for the accomplishing of his
undertaking, and demanded again when he had gone through it.
<i>Now, O Father, glorify thou me,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.x-p23.2" osisRef="Bible:John.17.4-John.17.5" parsed="|John|17|4|17|5" passage="Joh 17:4,5">John xvii. 4, 5</scripRef>. He shall come in <i>all
that glory</i> which the Father <i>conferred upon him</i> when
<i>he set him at his own right hand,</i> and <i>gave him to be head
over all things to the church;</i> in all the glory that is due to
him as the assertor of the glory of God, and the author of the
glory of all the saints. This is <i>his own glory.</i> (2.) He
shall come <i>in his Father's glory.</i> The Father will judge the
world by him, having committed all judgment to him; and therefore
will publicly own him in the judgment as the <i>brightness of his
glory</i> and the <i>express image</i> of his person. (3.) He shall
come in <i>the glory of the holy angels.</i> They shall all
<i>attend</i> him, and <i>minister</i> to him, and add every thing
they can to the lustre of his appearance. What a figure will the
blessed Jesus make in that day! Did we believe it, we should never
be ashamed of him or his words now.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p24"><i>Lastly,</i> To encourage them in
suffering for him, he assures them that <i>the kingdom of God</i>
would now <i>shortly be set up,</i> notwithstanding the great
opposition that was made to it, <scripRef id="Luke.x-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.27" parsed="|Luke|9|27|0|0" passage="Lu 9:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>. "Though the second coming of the
Son of man is at a great distance, the kingdom of God shall come in
its power in the present age, while some here present are alive."
They <i>saw the kingdom of God</i> when the Spirit was poured out,
when the gospel was preached to all the world and nations were
brought to Christ by it; they saw the kingdom of God triumph over
the Gentile nations in their <i>conversion,</i> and over the Jewish
nation in its <i>destruction.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Luke.x-p24.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.28-Luke.9.36" parsed="|Luke|9|28|9|36" passage="Lu 9:28-36" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Luke.9.28-Luke.9.36">
<h4 id="Luke.x-p24.3">The Transfiguration.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Luke.x-p25">28 And it came to pass about an eight days after
these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a
mountain to pray.   29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his
countenance was altered, and his raiment <i>was</i> white
<i>and</i> glistering.   30 And, behold, there talked with him
two men, which were Moses and Elias:   31 Who appeared in
glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at
Jerusalem.   32 But Peter and they that were with him were
heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and
the two men that stood with him.   33 And it came to pass, as
they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good
for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee,
and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.
  34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed
them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.   35 And
there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved
Son: hear him.   36 And when the voice was past, Jesus was
found alone. And they kept <i>it</i> close, and told no man in
those days any of those things which they had seen.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p26">We have here the narrative of Christ's
transfiguration, which was designed for a specimen of that glory of
his in which he will come to judge the world, of which he had
lately been speaking, and, consequently, an encouragement to his
disciples to suffer for him, and never to be ashamed of him. We had
this account before in Matthew and Mark, and it is well worthy to
be repeated to us, and reconsidered by us, for the <i>confirmation
of our faith</i> in the Lord Jesus, as <i>the brightness of his
Father's glory</i> and the light of the world, for the
<i>filling</i> of our minds with <i>high</i> and <i>honourable</i>
thoughts of him, notwithstanding his being clothed with a body, and
<i>giving</i> us <i>some idea</i> of the <i>glory</i> which he
entered into at his <i>ascension,</i> and in which he now
<i>appears</i> within the veil, and for the <i>raising</i> and
<i>encouraging</i> of our <i>hopes</i> and <i>expectations</i>
concerning the glory reserved for all believers in the future
state.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p27">I. Here is one circumstance of the
narrative that seems to differ from the other two evangelists that
related it. They said that it was <i>six days</i> after the
foregoing sayings; Luke says that it was <i>about eight days
after,</i> that is, it was that day sevennight, six whole days
intervening, and it was the eighth day. Some think that it was
<i>in the night</i> that Christ was transfigured, because the
disciples were sleepy, as in his agony, and <i>in the night</i> his
appearance in splendour would be the more illustrious; if in the
night, the computation of the time would be the more doubtful and
uncertain; probably, in the night, between the seventh and eighth
day, and so about eight days.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p28">II. Here are divers circumstances added and
explained, which are very material.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p29">1. We are <i>here</i> told that Christ had
this honour put upon him when he was <i>praying:</i> He <i>went up
into a mountain to pray,</i> as he frequently did (<scripRef id="Luke.x-p29.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.28" parsed="|Luke|9|28|0|0" passage="Lu 9:28"><i>v.</i> 28</scripRef>), and <i>as he prayed</i>
he was <i>transfigured.</i> When Christ <i>humbled</i> himself to
pray, he was thus <i>exalted.</i> He knew before that this was
designed for him at this time, and therefore seeks it by prayer.
Christ himself must <i>sue out</i> the favours that were purposed
for him, and promised to him: <i>Ask of me, and I will give
thee,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.x-p29.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.2.8" parsed="|Ps|2|8|0|0" passage="Ps 2:8">Ps. ii. 8</scripRef>. And thus
he intended to put an <i>honour</i> upon the duty of prayer, and to
<i>recommend</i> it to us. It is a transfiguring, transforming
duty; if our hearts be elevated and enlarged in it, so as in it to
<i>behold the glory of the Lord,</i> we shall be <i>changed into
the same image from glory to glory,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.x-p29.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.3.18" parsed="|2Cor|3|18|0|0" passage="2Co 3:18">2 Cor. iii. 18</scripRef>. By prayer we fetch in the
wisdom, grace, and joy, which <i>make the face to shine.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p30">2. Luke does not use the word
<i>transfigured</i>—<b><i>metamorphothe</i></b> (which Matthew and
Mark used), perhaps because it had been used so much in the Pagan
theology, but makes use of a phrase equivalent, <b><i>to eidos tou
prosopou heteron</i></b>—<i>the fashion of his countenance was
another thing from what it had been:</i> his face shone far beyond
what Moses's did when he came down from the mount; and <i>his
raiment</i> was <i>white and glistering:</i> it was
<b><i>exastrapton</i></b>—<i>bright like lightning</i> (a word
used only here), so that he seemed to be arrayed all with light, to
<i>cover himself with light as with a garment.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p31">3. It was said in Matthew and Mark that
Moses and Elias <i>appeared to them;</i> here it is said that they
<i>appeared in glory,</i> to teach us that saints departed are
<i>in glory,</i> are in a <i>glorious</i> state; they shine in
glory. He being in glory, they <i>appeared with him in glory,</i>
as all the saints shall shortly do.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p32">4. We are here told what was the subject of
the discourse between Christ and the two great prophets of the Old
Testament: <i>They spoke of his decease, which he should accomplish
at Jerusalem.</i> <b><i>Elegon ten exodon autou</i></b>—<i>his
exodus, his departure;</i> that is, <i>his death.</i> (1.) The
death of Christ is here called his <i>exit,</i> his <i>going
out,</i> his <i>leaving the world.</i> Moses and Elias spoke of it
to him under that notion, to reconcile him to it, and to make the
foresight of it the more easy to his human nature. The death of the
saints is their <i>exodus,</i> their departure out of the Egypt of
this world, their release out of a <i>house of bondage.</i> Some
think that the ascension of Christ is included here in his
departure; for the departure of Israel out of Egypt was a departure
in <i>triumph,</i> so was <i>his</i> when he went from earth to
heaven. (2.) This departure of his he <i>must accomplish;</i> for
thus it was determined, the matter was immutably fixed in the
counsel of God, and could not be altered. (3.) He must accomplish
it at Jerusalem, though his residence was mostly in Galilee; for
his most spiteful enemies were at Jerusalem, and there the
sanhedrim sat, that took upon them to judge of prophets. (4.) Moses
and Elias spoke of this, to intimate that the <i>sufferings</i> of
Christ, and his <i>entrance into his glory,</i> were what Moses and
<i>the prophets</i> had <i>spoken of;</i> see <scripRef id="Luke.x-p32.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.24.26-Luke.24.27 Bible:1Pet.1.11" parsed="|Luke|24|26|24|27;|1Pet|1|11|0|0" passage="Lu 24:26,27,1Pe 1:11">Luke xxiv. 26, 27; 1 Pet. i. 11</scripRef>.
(5.) Our Lord Jesus, even in his transfiguration, was willing to
enter into a discourse concerning his death and sufferings, to
teach us that meditations on death, as it is our departure out of
this world to another, are never unseasonable, but in a special
manner season able when at any time we are <i>advanced,</i> lest we
should be <i>lifted up above measure.</i> In our greatest glories
on earth, let us remember that here <i>we have no continuing
city.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p33">5. We are here told, which we were not
before, that the disciples were <i>heavy with sleep,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.x-p33.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.32" parsed="|Luke|9|32|0|0" passage="Lu 9:32"><i>v.</i> 32</scripRef>. When the vision first
began, Peter, and James, and John were drowsy, and inclined to
sleep. Either it was late, or they were weary, or had been
disturbed in their rest the night before; or perhaps a charming
composing air, or some sweet and melodious sounds, which disposed
them to soft and gentle slumbers, were a preface to the vision; or
perhaps it was owing to a sinful carelessness: when Christ was at
prayer with them, they did not regard his prayer as they should
have done, and, to punish them for that, they were left to <i>sleep
on now,</i> when he began to be <i>transfigured,</i> and so lost an
opportunity of seeing how that work of wonder was wrought. These
three were now asleep, when Christ was in <i>his glory,</i> as
afterwards they were, when he was in <i>his agony;</i> see the
<i>weakness</i> and <i>frailty</i> of human nature, even in the
best, and what need they have of the grace of God. Nothing could be
more affecting to these disciples, one would think, than the
<i>glories</i> and the <i>agonies</i> of their Master, and both in
the highest degree; and yet neither the one nor the other would
serve to <i>keep them awake.</i> What need have we to pray to God
for quickening grace, to make us not only <i>alive,</i> but
<i>lively!</i> Yet that they might be competent witnesses of
<i>this sign from heaven,</i> to those that demanded one, after
awhile they <i>recovered themselves,</i> and became perfectly
awake; and then they took an exact view of all those glories, so
that they were able to give a particular account, as we find one of
them does, of all that passed when they were with Christ <i>in the
holy mount,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.x-p33.2" osisRef="Bible:2Pet.1.18" parsed="|2Pet|1|18|0|0" passage="2Pe 1:18">2 Pet. i.
18</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p34">6. It is here observed that it was when
Moses and Elias were now about to <i>depart</i> that Peter said,
<i>Lord, it is good to be here, let us make three tabernacles.</i>
Thus we are often not sensible of the worth of our mercies till we
are about to lose them; nor do we covet and court their continuance
till they are upon the departure. Peter said this, <i>not knowing
what he said.</i> Those know not what they say that talk of making
tabernacles on earth for glorified saints in heaven, who have
better mansions in the temple there, and long to return to
them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p35">7. It is here added, concerning the
<i>cloud</i> that <i>overshadowed them,</i> that they <i>feared as
they entered into the cloud.</i> This cloud was a token of God's
more peculiar presence. It was in a cloud that God of old took
possession of the tabernacle and temple, and, when the cloud
<i>covered the tabernacle, Moses was not able to enter</i>
(<scripRef id="Luke.x-p35.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.40.34-Exod.40.35" parsed="|Exod|40|34|40|35" passage="Ex 40:34,35">Exod. xl. 34, 35</scripRef>), and,
when it filled the temple, the <i>priests could not stand to
minister by reason of it,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.x-p35.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.5.14" parsed="|2Chr|5|14|0|0" passage="2Ch 5:14">2 Chron.
v. 14</scripRef>. Such a cloud was this, and then no wonder that
the disciples were <i>afraid to enter into it.</i> But never let
any be afraid to enter into a cloud with Jesus Christ; for he will
be sure to bring them safely through it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p36">8. The <i>voice</i> which came from heaven
is here, and in Mark, related not so fully as in Matthew: <i>This
is my beloved Son, hear him:</i> though those words, <i>in whom I
am well pleased,</i> which we have both in Matthew and Peter, are
not expressed, they are implied in that, <i>This is my beloved
Son;</i> for whom he <i>loves,</i> and in whom he is <i>well
pleased,</i> come all to one; we are <i>accepted in the
Beloved.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p37"><i>Lastly,</i> The apostles are here said
to have kept this vision private. They <i>told no man in those
days,</i> reserving the discovery of it for another opportunity,
when the evidences of Christ's being the Son of God were completed
in the pouring out of the Spirit, and that doctrine was to be
published to all the world. As there is a time <i>to speak,</i> so
there is a time to <i>keep silence.</i> Every thing is beautiful
and useful in its season.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Luke.x-p37.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.37-Luke.9.42" parsed="|Luke|9|37|9|42" passage="Lu 9:37-42" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Luke.9.37-Luke.9.42">
<h4 id="Luke.x-p37.2">An Evil Spirit Expelled.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Luke.x-p38">37 And it came to pass, that on the next day,
when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.  
38 And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I
beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.  
39 And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it
teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly
departeth from him.   40 And I besought thy disciples to cast
him out; and they could not.   41 And Jesus answering said, O
faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you,
and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.   42 And as he was yet a
coming, the devil threw him down, and tare <i>him.</i> And Jesus
rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him
again to his father.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p39">This passage of story in Matthew and Mark
follows immediately upon that of Christ's transfiguration, and his
discourse with his disciples after it; but here it is said to be
<i>on the next day, as they were coming down from the hill,</i>
which confirms the conjecture that Christ was transfigured <i>in
the night,</i> and, it should seem, though they did not <i>make
tabernacles</i> as Peter proposed, yet they found some shelter to
repose themselves in all night, for it was not till next day that
they <i>came down from the hill,</i> and then he found things in
some disorder among his disciples, though not so bad as Moses did
when he came down from the mount. When wise and good men are in
their beloved retirements, they would do well to consider whether
they are not wanted in their <i>public stations.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p40">In this narrative here, observe, 1. How
forward the people were to receive Christ at his return to them.
Though he had been but a little while absent, <i>much people met
him,</i> as, at other times, much people <i>followed</i> him; for
so it was foretold concerning him, that <i>to him should the
gathering of the people be.</i> 2. How importunate the father of
the lunatic child was with Christ for help for him (<scripRef id="Luke.x-p40.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.38" parsed="|Luke|9|38|0|0" passage="Lu 9:38"><i>v.</i> 38</scripRef>): <i>I beseech thee, look
upon my son;</i> this is his request, and it is a very modest one;
one compassionate look from Christ is enough to set every thing to
rights. Let us bring ourselves and our children to Christ, to be
<i>looked upon.</i> His plea is, <i>He is my only child.</i> They
that have many children may balance their affliction in one with
their comfort in the rest; yet, if it be an only child that is a
grief, the affliction in that may be balanced with the love of God
in giving his only-begotten Son for us. 3. How <i>deplorable</i>
the case of the <i>child</i> was, <scripRef id="Luke.x-p40.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.39" parsed="|Luke|9|39|0|0" passage="Lu 9:39"><i>v.</i> 39</scripRef>. He was under the power of an
evil spirit, that <i>took him;</i> and diseases of that nature are
more frightful than such as arise merely from natural causes: when
the fit seized him without any warning given, he suddenly <i>cried
out,</i> and many a time his shrieks had pierced the heart of his
tender father. This malicious spirit <i>tore him,</i> and
<i>bruised</i> him, and <i>departed not from him</i> but with great
difficulty, and a deadly gripe at parting. O the afflictions of the
afflicted in this world! And what mischief doth Satan do where he
gets possession! But happy they that have access to Christ! 4. How
defective the disciples were in their faith. Though Christ had
given them <i>power over unclean spirits,</i> yet they <i>could
not</i> cast out this <i>evil spirit,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.x-p40.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.40" parsed="|Luke|9|40|0|0" passage="Lu 9:40"><i>v.</i> 40</scripRef>. Either they distrusted the power
they were to fetch in strength from, or the commission given to
them, or they did not exert themselves in prayer as they ought; for
this Christ reproved them. O <i>faithless and perverse
generation.</i> Dr. Clarke understands this as spoken to his
disciples: "<i>Will ye be</i> yet so faithless and full of distrust
that ye cannot execute the commission I have given you?" 5. How
effectual the cure was, which Christ wrought upon this child,
<scripRef id="Luke.x-p40.4" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.42" parsed="|Luke|9|42|0|0" passage="Lu 9:42"><i>v.</i> 42</scripRef>. Christ can do
that for us which his disciples cannot: <i>Jesus rebuked the
unclean spirit</i> then when he raged most. The devil <i>threw the
child down, and tore him,</i> distorted him, as if he would have
pulled him to pieces. But one word from Christ <i>healed the
child,</i> and made good the damage the devil had done him. And it
is here added that he <i>delivered him again to his father.</i>
Note, When our children are recovered from sickness, we must
receive them as delivered to us again, receive them as life from
the dead, and as when we first received them. It is comfortable to
receive them from the hand of Christ, to see him delivering them to
us again: "Here, take this child, and be thankful; take it, and
bring it up for me, for thou hast it again from me. Take it, and do
not set thy heart too much upon it." With such cautions as these,
parents should receive their children <i>from Christ's hands,</i>
and then with comfort put them again <i>into his hands.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Luke.x-p40.5" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.43-Luke.9.50" parsed="|Luke|9|43|9|50" passage="Lu 9:43-50" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Luke.9.43-Luke.9.50">
<h4 id="Luke.x-p40.6">Ambition of the Disciples
Reproved.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Luke.x-p41">43 And they were all amazed at the mighty power
of God. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus
did, he said unto his disciples,   44 Let these sayings sink
down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the
hands of men.   45 But they understood not this saying, and it
was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to
ask him of that saying.   46 Then there arose a reasoning
among them, which of them should be greatest.   47 And Jesus,
perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by
him,   48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this
child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me
receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the
same shall be great.   49 And John answered and said, Master,
we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him,
because he followeth not with us.   50 And Jesus said unto
him, Forbid <i>him</i> not: for he that is not against us is for
us.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p42">We may observe here, I. The impression
which Christ's miracles made upon all that beheld them (<scripRef id="Luke.x-p42.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.43" parsed="|Luke|9|43|0|0" passage="Lu 9:43"><i>v.</i> 43</scripRef>): <i>They were all amazed
at the mighty power of God,</i> which they could not but see in all
the miracles Christ wrought. Note, The works of God's almighty
power are amazing, especially those that are wrought by the hand of
the Lord Jesus; for he is <i>the power of God,</i> and his name is
<i>Wonderful.</i> Their wonder was universal: they wondered
<i>every one.</i> The causes of it were universal: they wondered at
<i>all things which Jesus did;</i> all his actions had something
uncommon and surprising in them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p43">II. The notice Christ gave to his disciples
of his approaching sufferings: <i>The Son of man shall be delivered
into the hands of men,</i> wicked men, men of the worst character;
they shall be permitted to abuse him at their pleasure. That is
here <i>implied</i> which is <i>expressed</i> by the other
evangelists: <i>They shall kill him.</i> But that which is peculiar
here is, 1. The connection of this with what goes next before, of
the admiration with which the people were struck at beholding
Christ's miracles (<scripRef id="Luke.x-p43.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.43" parsed="|Luke|9|43|0|0" passage="Lu 9:43"><i>v.</i>
43</scripRef>): <i>While they all wondered at all things which
Jesus did, he said this to his disciples.</i> They had a fond
conceit of his temporal kingdom, and that he should reign, and they
with him, in secular pomp and power; and now they thought that this
<i>mighty power</i> of his would easily effect the thing, and his
interest gained by his miracles in the people would contribute to
it; and therefore Christ, who knew what was in their hearts, takes
this occasion to tell them again, what he had told them before,
that he was so far from having men <i>delivered into his hands</i>
that he must be <i>delivered into the hands of men,</i> so far from
living in honour that he must die in disgrace; and all his
miracles, and the interest he has by them gained in the hearts of
the people, will not be able to prevent it. 2. The solemn preface
with which it is introduced: "<i>Let these sayings sink down into
your ears;</i> take special notice of what I say, and mix faith
with it; let not the notions you have of the temporal kingdom of
the Messiah stop your ears against it, nor make you unwilling to
believe it. Admit what I say, and submit to it." <i>Let it sink
down into your hearts;</i> so the Syriac and Arabic read it. The
word of Christ does us no good, unless we let it sink down into our
heads and hearts. 3. The unaccountable stupidity of the disciples,
with reference to this prediction of Christ's sufferings. It was
said in Mark, <i>They understood not that saying.</i> It was plain
enough, but they <i>would not</i> understand it in the literal
sense, because it agreed not with their notions; and they <i>could
not</i> understand it in any other, <i>and were afraid to ask
him</i> lest they should be undeceived and awaked out of their
pleasing dream. But it is here added that <i>it was hidden from
them, that they perceived it not,</i> through the weakness of faith
and the power of prejudice. We cannot think that it was <i>in
mercy</i> hidden from them, lest they should be swallowed up with
overmuch sorrow at the prospect of it; but that it was a paradox,
because they <i>made it so</i> to themselves.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p44">III. The rebuke Christ gave to his
disciples for their disputing among themselves which should be
greatest, <scripRef id="Luke.x-p44.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.46-Luke.9.48" parsed="|Luke|9|46|9|48" passage="Lu 9:46-48"><i>v.</i>
46-48</scripRef>. This passage we had before, and, the more is the
pity, we shall meet with the like again. Observe here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p45">1. Ambition of honour, and strife for
superiority and precedency, are sins that most easily beset the
disciples of our Lord Jesus, for which they deserve to be severely
rebuked; they flow from corruptions which they are highly concerned
to subdue and mortify, <scripRef id="Luke.x-p45.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.46" parsed="|Luke|9|46|0|0" passage="Lu 9:46"><i>v.</i>
46</scripRef>. They that expect to be <i>great</i> in this world
commonly aim high, and nothing will serve them short of being
<i>greatest;</i> this exposes them to a great deal of temptation
and trouble, which they are safe from that are content to be
<i>little,</i> to be <i>least,</i> to be <i>less than the
least.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p46">2. Jesus Christ is perfectly acquainted
with the thoughts and intents of our hearts: He <i>perceived their
thoughts,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.x-p46.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.47" parsed="|Luke|9|47|0|0" passage="Lu 9:47"><i>v.</i> 47</scripRef>.
Thoughts are <i>words</i> to him, and <i>whispers</i> are loud
cries. It is a good reason why we should keep up a strict
government of our thoughts because Christ takes a strict cognizance
of them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p47">3. Christ will have his disciples to aim at
that honour which is to be obtained by a quiet and condescending
humility, and not at that which is to be obtained by a restless and
aspiring ambition. Christ <i>took a child, and set him by him,</i>
<scripRef id="Luke.x-p47.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.47" parsed="|Luke|9|47|0|0" passage="Lu 9:47"><i>v.</i> 47</scripRef> (for he always
expressed a tenderness and kindness for little children), and he
proposed <i>this child</i> to them for an example. (1.) Let them be
of the <i>temper</i> of this child, <i>humble</i> and <i>quiet,</i>
and <i>easy</i> to itself; let them not affect worldly pomp, or
grandeur, or high titles, but be as dead to them as this child; let
them bear no more malice to their rivals and competitors than this
child did. Let them be willing to be <i>the least,</i> if that
would contribute any thing to their usefulness, to stoop to the
meanest office whereby they might <i>do good.</i> (2.) Let them
assure themselves that this was the way to preferment; for this
would recommend them to the esteem of their brethren: they that
loved Christ would <i>therefore receive</i> them <i>in his
name,</i> because they did most resemble him, and they would
likewise recommend themselves to his favour, for Christ would take
the kindnesses done to them as done to himself: <i>Whosoever shall
receive one such child,</i> a preacher of the gospel that is of
such a disposition as this, he placeth his respect aright, and
<i>receiveth me;</i> and <i>whosoever receiveth me,</i> in such a
minister, <i>receiveth him that sent me;</i> and what greater
honour can any man attain to in this world than to be received by
men as a messenger of God and Christ, and to have God and Christ
own themselves received and welcomed in him? This honour have all
the humble disciples of Jesus Christ, and thus they shall be truly
great that are least among them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p48">IV. The rebuke Christ gave to his disciples
for discouraging one that honoured him and served him, but was not
of their communion, not only not one of the twelve, nor one of the
seventy, but not one of those that ever associated with them, or
attended on them, but, upon occasional hearing of Christ, believed
in him, and made use of his name with faith and prayer in a serious
manner, for the casting out of devils. Now, 1. This man they
<i>rebuked and restrained;</i> they would not let him pray and
preach, though it was to the honour of Christ, though it did good
to men and weakened Satan's kingdom, because he did not <i>follow
Christ with them;</i> he separated from their church, was not
ordained as they were, paid them no respect, nor gave them the
right hand of fellowship. Now, if ever any society of Christians in
this world had reason to silence those that were not of their
communion, the twelve disciples at this time had; and yet, 2. Jesus
Christ chid them for what they did, and warned them not to do the
like again, nor any that profess to be successors of the apostles:
"<i>Forbid him not</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.x-p48.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.50" parsed="|Luke|9|50|0|0" passage="Lu 9:50"><i>v.</i>
50</scripRef>), but rather encourage him, for he is carrying on the
same design that you are, though, for reasons best known to
himself, he does not follow <i>with you;</i> and he will meet you
in <i>the same end,</i> though he does not accompany you in <i>the
same way.</i> You <i>do well</i> to do as you do, but it does not
therefore follow that he <i>does ill</i> to do as he does, and that
you do well to put him under an interdict, for <i>he that is not
against us is for us,</i> and therefore ought to be countenanced by
us." We need not lose any of our friends, while we have so few, and
so many enemies. Those may be found faithful followers of Christ,
and, as such, may be accepted of him, though they do not follow
<i>with us.</i> See <scripRef id="Luke.x-p48.2" osisRef="Bible:Mark.9.38-Mark.9.39" parsed="|Mark|9|38|9|39" passage="Mk 9:38,39">Mark ix. 38,
39</scripRef>. O what a great deal of mischief to the church, even
from those that boast of relation to Christ, and pretend to <i>envy
for his sake,</i> would be prevented, if this passage of story were
but duly considered!</p>
</div><scripCom id="Luke.x-p48.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.51-Luke.9.56" parsed="|Luke|9|51|9|56" passage="Lu 9:51-56" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Luke.9.51-Luke.9.56">
<h4 id="Luke.x-p48.4">The Samaritans Refuse to Receive Christ;
Mistaken Zeal of James and John.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Luke.x-p49">51 And it came to pass, when the time was come
that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to
Jerusalem,   52 And sent messengers before his face: and they
went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready
for him.   53 And they did not receive him, because his face
was as though he would go to Jerusalem.   54 And when his
disciples James and John saw <i>this,</i> they said, Lord, wilt
thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume
them, even as Elias did?   55 But he turned, and rebuked them,
and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.   56
For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save
<i>them.</i> And they went to another village.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p50">This passage of story we have not in any
other of the evangelists, and it seems to come in here for the sake
of its affinity with that next before, for in this also Christ
rebuked his disciples, because they envied for his sake. There,
under colour of zeal for Christ, they were for silencing and
restraining separatists: here, under the same colour, they were for
putting infidels to death; and, as for <i>that,</i> so for
<i>this</i> also, Christ reprimanded them, for a spirit of bigotry
and persecution is directly contrary to the spirit of Christ and
Christianity. Observe here,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p51">I. The <i>readiness</i> and
<i>resolution</i> of our Lord Jesus, in prosecuting his great
undertaking for our redemption and salvation. Of this we have an
instance, <scripRef id="Luke.x-p51.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.51" parsed="|Luke|9|51|0|0" passage="Lu 9:51"><i>v.</i> 51</scripRef>:
<i>When the time was come that he should be received up, he
stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem.</i> Observe 1. There
was a time fixed for the sufferings and death of our Lord Jesus,
and he knew well enough when it was, and had a clear and certain
foresight of it, and yet was so far from keeping out of the way
that then he appeared most publicly of all, and was most busy,
knowing that his time was short. 2. When he saw his death and
sufferings approaching, he looked through them and beyond them, to
the glory that should follow; he looked upon it as the time when he
should be <i>received up into glory</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.x-p51.2" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.3.16" parsed="|1Tim|3|16|0|0" passage="1Ti 3:16">1 Tim. iii. 16</scripRef>), received up into the highest
heavens, to be enthroned there. Moses and Elias spoke of his death
as his departure out of this world, which made it not
<i>formidable;</i> but he went further, and looked upon it as his
translation to a better world, which made it very <i>desirable.</i>
All good Christians may frame to themselves the same notion of
death, and may call it their being <i>received up,</i> to be with
Christ where he is; and, when the <i>time</i> of their being
<i>received up</i> is at hand, let them lift up their heads,
knowing that <i>their redemption draws nigh.</i> 3. On this
prospect of the joy set before him, he <i>stedfastly set his face
to go to Jerusalem</i> the place where he was to suffer and die. He
was fully <i>determined</i> to go, and would not be dissuaded; he
went <i>directly</i> to Jerusalem, because there now his business
lay, and he did not go about to other towns, or fetch a compass,
which if he had done, as commonly he did, he might have avoided
going through Samaria. He went cheerfully and courageously thither,
though he knew the things that should befal him there. He <i>did
not fail nor was discouraged,</i> but <i>set his face as a flint,
knowing</i> that he should be not only <i>justified,</i> but
glorified (<scripRef id="Luke.x-p51.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.50.7" parsed="|Isa|50|7|0|0" passage="Isa 50:7">Isa. l. 7</scripRef>), not
only not <i>run down,</i> but <i>received up.</i> How should this
shame us <i>for,</i> and shame <i>us out of,</i> our backwardness
to do and suffer for Christ! We draw back, and turn our faces
another way from his service who stedfastly set his face against
all opposition, to go through with the work of our salvation.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p52">II. The <i>rudeness</i> of the Samaritans
in a <i>certain village</i> (not named, nor deserving to be so) who
would not <i>receive him,</i> nor suffer him to bait in their town,
though his way lay through it. Observe here, 1. How <i>civil</i> he
was to them: <i>He sent messengers before his face,</i> some of his
disciples, that went to take up lodgings, and to know whether he
might have leave to accommodate himself and his company among them;
for he would not come to give <i>offence,</i> or if they took any
umbrage at the number of his followers. He sent some to <i>make
ready</i> for him, not for state, but convenience, and that his
coming might be no surprise. 2. How <i>uncivil</i> they were to
him, <scripRef id="Luke.x-p52.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.53" parsed="|Luke|9|53|0|0" passage="Lu 9:53"><i>v.</i> 53</scripRef>. They did
not <i>receive him,</i> would not suffer him to come into their
village, but ordered their watch to keep him out. He would have
<i>paid</i> for all he <i>bespoke,</i> and been a generous guest
among them, would have done them good, and preached the gospel to
them, as he had done some time ago to another city of the
Samaritans, <scripRef id="Luke.x-p52.2" osisRef="Bible:John.4.41" parsed="|John|4|41|0|0" passage="Joh 4:41">John iv. 41</scripRef>. He
would have been, if they pleased, the greatest blessing that ever
came to their village, and yet they forbid him entrance. Such
treatment his gospel and ministers have often met with. Now the
reason was <i>because his face was as though he would go to
Jerusalem;</i> they observed, by his motions, that he was steering
his course that way. The great controversy between the Jews and the
Samaritans was about the place of worship—whether Jerusalem or
mount Gerizim near Sychar; see <scripRef id="Luke.x-p52.3" osisRef="Bible:John.4.20" parsed="|John|4|20|0|0" passage="Joh 4:20">John
iv. 20</scripRef>. And so hot was the controversy between them that
the <i>Jews would have no dealings with the Samaritans,</i> nor
they with them, <scripRef id="Luke.x-p52.4" osisRef="Bible:John.4.9" parsed="|John|4|9|0|0" passage="Joh 4:9">John iv. 9</scripRef>.
Yet we may suppose that they did not deny other Jews lodgings among
them, no, not when they went up to the feast; for if that had been
their constant practice Christ would not have attempted it, and it
would have been a great way about for some of the Galileans to go
to Jerusalem any other way than through Samaria. But they were
particularly incensed against Christ, who was a celebrated teacher,
for owning and adhering to the temple at Jerusalem, when the
priests of that temple were such bitter enemies to him, which, they
hoped, would have driven him to come and worship at <i>their</i>
temple, and bring that into reputation; but when they saw that he
would go forward to Jerusalem, notwithstanding this, they would not
show him the common civility which probably they used formerly to
show him in his journey thither.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p53">III. The <i>resentment</i> which James and
John expressed of this affront, <scripRef id="Luke.x-p53.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.54" parsed="|Luke|9|54|0|0" passage="Lu 9:54"><i>v.</i> 54</scripRef>. When these two heard this
message brought, they were all in a flame presently, and nothing
will serve them but Sodom's doom upon this village: "Lord," say
they, "give us leave to command fire to come down from heaven, not
to <i>frighten</i> them only, but to <i>consume</i> them."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p54">1. Here indeed was something commendable,
for they showed, (1.) A great confidence in the power they had
received from Jesus Christ; though this had not been particularly
mentioned in their commission, yet they could with a word's
speaking fetch <i>fire from heaven.</i> <b><i>Theleis
eipomen</i></b>—<i>Wilt thou that we speak the word,</i> and the
thing will be done. (2.) A great zeal for the honour of their
Master. They took it very ill that he who did good wherever he came
and found a hearty welcome should be denied the liberty of the road
by a parcel of paltry Samaritans; they could not think of it
without indignation that their Master should be thus slighted. (3.)
A submission, notwithstanding, to their Master's good will and
pleasure. They will not offer to do such a thing, unless Christ
give leave: <i>Wilt thou</i> that we do it? (4.) A regard to the
examples of the prophets that were before them. It is doing <i>as
Elias did?</i> they would not have thought of such a thing if
Elijah had not done it upon the soldiers that came to take him,
once and again, <scripRef id="Luke.x-p54.1" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.1.10 Bible:2Kgs.1.12" parsed="|2Kgs|1|10|0|0;|2Kgs|1|12|0|0" passage="2Ki 1:10,12">2 Kings i. 10,
12</scripRef>. They thought that this <i>precedent</i> would be
their <i>warrant;</i> so apt are we to misapply the examples of
good men, and to think to justify ourselves by them in the
irregular liberties we give ourselves, when the case is not
parallel.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p55">2. But though there was something right in
what they said, yet there was much more amiss, for (1.) This was
not the first time, by a great many, that our Lord Jesus had been
thus affronted, witness the Nazarenes thrusting him out of their
city, and the Gadarenes desiring him to depart out of their coast;
and yet he never called for any judgment upon them, but patiently
put up with the injury. (2.) These were Samaritans, from whom
better was not to be expected, and perhaps they had heard that
Christ had forbidden his disciples to <i>enter into any of the
cities of the Samaritans</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.x-p55.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.10.5" parsed="|Matt|10|5|0|0" passage="Mt 10:5">Matt. x.
5</scripRef>), and therefore it was not so bad in them as in others
who knew more of Christ, and had received so many favours from him.
(3.) Perhaps it was only some few of the town that knew any thing
of the matter, or that sent that rude message to him, while, for
aught they knew, there were many in the town who, if they had heard
of Christ's being so near them, would have gone to meet him and
welcomed him; and must the whole town be laid in ashes for the
wickedness of a few? Will they have the righteous destroyed with
the wicked? (4.) Their Master had never yet upon any occasion
called for <i>fire from heaven,</i> nay, he had refused to give the
Pharisees any <i>sign from heaven</i> when they demanded it
(<scripRef id="Luke.x-p55.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.16.1-Matt.16.2" parsed="|Matt|16|1|16|2" passage="Mt 16:1,2">Matt. xvi. 1, 2</scripRef>); and why
should they think to introduce it? James and John were the two
disciples whom Christ had called <i>Boanerges—sons of thunder</i>
(<scripRef id="Luke.x-p55.3" osisRef="Bible:Mark.3.17" parsed="|Mark|3|17|0|0" passage="Mk 3:17">Mark iii. 17</scripRef>); and will not
that serve them, but they must be <i>sons of lightning</i> too?
(5.) The example of Elias did not reach the case. Elijah was sent
to display the terrors of the law, and to give proof of that, and
to witness as a bold reprover against the idolatries and
wickednesses of the court of Ahab, and it was agreeable enough to
him to have his commission thus proved; but it is a dispensation of
grace that is now to be introduced, to which such a terrible
display of divine justice will not be at all agreeable. Archbishop
Tillotson suggests that their being now near Samaria, where Elijah
called for fire from heaven, might help to put it in their heads;
perhaps at the very place; but, though the <i>place</i> was the
same, the <i>times</i> were altered.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p56">IV. The <i>reproof</i> he gave to James and
John for their fiery, furious zeal (<scripRef id="Luke.x-p56.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.55" parsed="|Luke|9|55|0|0" passage="Lu 9:55"><i>v.</i> 55</scripRef>): He <i>turned</i> with a just
displeasure, and <i>rebuked them;</i> for <i>as many as he loves he
rebukes and chastens,</i> particularly for what they do, that is
irregular and unbecoming them, under colour of zeal for him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p57">1. He shows them in particular their
mistake: <i>Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of;</i> that
is, (1.) "You <i>are not aware</i> what an <i>evil spirit</i> and
disposition you are of; how much there is of pride, and passion,
and personal revenge, covered under this pretence of zeal for your
Master." Note, There may be much corruption lurking, nay, and
stirring too, in the hearts of good people, and they themselves not
be sensible of it. (2.) "You <i>do not consider</i> what a <i>good
spirit,</i> directly contrary to this, you <i>should be of.</i>
Surely you have yet to learn, though you have been so long
learning, what the spirit of Christ and Christianity is. Have you
not been taught to <i>love your enemies,</i> and to <i>bless them
that curse you,</i> and to call for grace from heaven, not fire
from heaven, upon them? You know not how contrary your disposition
herein is to that which it was the design of the gospel you should
be <i>delivered</i> into. You are not now under the dispensation of
bondage, and terror, and death, but under the dispensation of love,
and liberty, and grace, which was ushered in with a proclamation of
<i>peace on earth</i> and <i>good will toward men,</i> to which you
ought to accommodate yourselves, and not by such imprecations as
these oppose yourselves."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p58">2. He shows them the general design and
tendency of his religion (<scripRef id="Luke.x-p58.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.56" parsed="|Luke|9|56|0|0" passage="Lu 9:56"><i>v.</i>
56</scripRef>): <i>The Son of man</i> is not himself come, and
therefore does not send you abroad <i>to destroy men's lives, but
to save them.</i> He designed to propagate his holy religion by
love and sweetness, and every thing that is inviting and endearing,
not by fire and sword, and blood and slaughter; by miracles of
healing, not by plagues and miracles of destruction, as Israel was
brought out of Egypt. Christ came to <i>slay</i> all
<i>enmities,</i> not to foster them. Those are certainly destitute
of the spirit of the gospel that are for anathematizing and rooting
out by violence and persecution all that are not of their mind and
way, that cannot in conscience say as they say, and do as they do.
Christ came, not only to save men's <i>souls,</i> but to save their
<i>lives</i> too—witness the many miracles he wrought for the
healing of diseases that would otherwise have been <i>mortal,</i>
by which, and a thousand other instances of beneficence, it appears
that Christ would have his disciples do good to all, to the utmost
of their power, but hurt to none, to draw men into his church with
the <i>cords of a man and the bands of love,</i> but not think to
drive men into it with a <i>rod of violence</i> or the <i>scourge
of the tongue.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p59">V. His <i>retreat</i> from this village.
Christ would not only not punish them for their rudeness, but would
not insist upon his right of travelling the road (which was as free
to him as to his neighbours), would not attempt to force his way,
but quietly and peaceably <i>went to another village,</i> where
they were not so stingy and bigoted, and there refreshed himself,
and went on his way. Note, When a stream of opposition is strong,
it is wisdom to get out of the way of it, rather than to contend
with it. If some be very rude, instead of revenging it, we should
try whether others will not be more civil.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Luke.x-p59.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.57-Luke.9.62" parsed="|Luke|9|57|9|62" passage="Lu 9:57-62" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Luke.9.57-Luke.9.62">
<h4 id="Luke.x-p59.2">Every Thing to Be Left for
Christ.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Luke.x-p60">57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in
the way, a certain <i>man</i> said unto him, Lord, I will follow
thee whithersoever thou goest.   58 And Jesus said unto him,
Foxes have holes, and birds of the air <i>have</i> nests; but the
Son of man hath not where to lay <i>his</i> head.   59 And he
said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to
go and bury my father.   60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead
bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.  
61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me
first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.  
62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the
plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p61">We have here an account of three several
persons that offered themselves to follow Christ, and the answers
that Christ gave to each of them. The two former we had an account
of in <scripRef id="Luke.x-p61.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.19.21" parsed="|Matt|19|21|0|0" passage="Mt 19:21">Matt. xix. 21</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p62">I. Here is one that is extremely forward to
follow Christ immediately, but seems to have been too rash, hasty,
and inconsiderate, and not to have set down and counted the
cost.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p63">1. He makes Christ a very large promise
(<scripRef id="Luke.x-p63.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.57" parsed="|Luke|9|57|0|0" passage="Lu 9:57"><i>v.</i> 57</scripRef>): <i>As they
went in the way,</i> going up to Jerusalem, where it was expected
Christ would first appear in his glory, one said to him, <i>Lord, I
will follow thee withersoever thou goest.</i> This must be the
resolution of all that will be found Christ's disciples indeed;
they <i>follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes</i> (<scripRef id="Luke.x-p63.2" osisRef="Bible:Rev.14.4" parsed="|Rev|14|4|0|0" passage="Re 14:4">Rev. xiv. 4</scripRef>), though it be through
fire and water, to prisons and deaths.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p64">2. Christ gives him a necessary caution,
not to promise himself great things in the world, in following him,
but, on the contrary, to count upon poverty and meanness; for
<i>the Son of man has not where to lay his head.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p65">We may look upon this, (1.) As <i>setting
forth</i> the <i>very low condition</i> that our Lord Jesus was in,
in this world. He not only wanted the delights and ornaments that
great princes usually have, but even such accommodations for mere
necessity as the <i>foxes</i> have, and the <i>birds of the
air.</i> See what a <i>depth of poverty</i> our Lord Jesus
submitted to for us, to increase the worth and merit of his
satisfaction, and to purchase for us a larger <i>allowance of
grace, that we through his poverty might be rich,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.x-p65.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.8.9" parsed="|2Cor|8|9|0|0" passage="2Co 8:9">2 Cor. viii. 9</scripRef>. He that made all did
not make a dwelling-place for himself, not a house of his own to
put his head in, but what he was beholden to others for. He here
calls himself the <i>Son of man,</i> a Son of Adam, partaker of
flesh and blood. He glories in his condescension towards us, not
only to the meanness of our nature, but to the meanest condition in
that nature, to testify his love to us, and to teach us a holy
contempt of the world and of great things in it, and a continual
regard to another world. Christ was thus poor, to sanctify and
sweeten poverty to his people; the apostles had not certain
dwelling-place (<scripRef id="Luke.x-p65.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.11" parsed="|1Cor|4|11|0|0" passage="1Co 4:11">1 Cor. iv.
11</scripRef>), which they might the better bear when they knew
their Master had not; see <scripRef id="Luke.x-p65.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.11.11" parsed="|2Sam|11|11|0|0" passage="2Sa 11:11">2 Sam. xi.
11</scripRef>. We may well be content to fare as Christ did. (2.)
As proposing this to the consideration of those who intend to be
his disciples. If we mean to follow Christ, we must lay aside the
thoughts of great things in the world, and not reckon upon making
any thing <i>more than heaven</i> of our religion, as we must
resolve not to take up with any thing <i>less.</i> Let us not go
about to compound the profession of Christianity with secular
advantages; Christ has <i>put them asunder,</i> let us not think of
<i>joining them together;</i> on the contrary, we must expect to
enter into the kingdom of heaven through many tribulations, must
<i>deny ourselves,</i> and <i>take up our cross.</i> Christ tells
this man what he must count upon if he followed him, to lie cold
and uneasy, to fare hard, and live in contempt; if he could not
submit to this, let him not pretend to follow Christ. This word
sent him back, for aught that appears; but it will be no
discouragement to any that know what there is in Christ and heaven
to set in the scale against this.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p66">II. Here is another, that seems
<i>resolved</i> to follow Christ, but he <i>begs a day,</i>
<scripRef id="Luke.x-p66.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.59" parsed="|Luke|9|59|0|0" passage="Lu 9:59"><i>v.</i> 59</scripRef>. To this man
Christ first gave the call; he said to him, <i>Follow me.</i> He
that proposed the thing of himself fled off when he heard of the
difficulties that attended it; but this man to whom Christ gave a
call, though he hesitated at first, yet, as it should seem,
afterwards yielded; so true was that of Christ, <i>You have not
chosen me, but I have chosen you,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.x-p66.2" osisRef="Bible:John.15.16" parsed="|John|15|16|0|0" passage="Joh 15:16">John xv. 16</scripRef>. It is not of <i>him that
willeth,</i> nor <i>of him that runneth</i> (as that forward spark
in the foregoing verses), but of God that showeth mercy, that
<i>gives</i> the call, and <i>makes</i> it <i>effectual,</i> as to
this man here. Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p67">1. The excuse he made: "<i>Lord, suffer me
first to go and bury my father.</i> I have an aged father at home,
who cannot live long, and will need me while he does live; let me
go and attend on him until he is dead, and I have performed my last
office of love to him, and then I will do any thing." We may here
see three temptations, by which we are in danger of being drawn and
kept from following Christ, which therefore we should guard
against:—(1.) We are tempted to <i>rest</i> in a <i>discipleship
at large,</i> in which we may be <i>at a loose end,</i> and not to
come <i>close,</i> and give up ourselves to be <i>strict</i> and
<i>constant.</i> (2.) We are tempted to <i>defer</i> the doing of
that which we know to be our duty, and to put if off to some other
time. When we have got clear of such a care and difficulty, when we
have despatched such a business, raised an estate to such a pitch,
then we will begin to think of being religious; and so we are
cozened out of all our time, by being cozened out of the present
time. (3.) We are tempted to think that our duty to our relations
will excuse us from our duty to Christ. It is a plausible excuse
indeed: "<i>Let me go and bury my father,</i>—let me take care of
my family, and provide for my children, and then I will think of
serving Christ;" whereas the <i>kingdom of God and the
righteousness thereof</i> must be sought ad minded <i>in the first
place.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p68">2. Christ's answer to it (<scripRef id="Luke.x-p68.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.60" parsed="|Luke|9|60|0|0" passage="Lu 9:60"><i>v.</i> 60</scripRef>): "<i>Let the dead bury
their dead.</i> Suppose (which is not likely) that there are none
but the dead to bury their dead, or none but those who are
themselves aged and dying, who are <i>as good as dead,</i> and fit
for no other service, yet thou hast other work to do; <i>go thou,
and preach the kingdom of God.</i>" Not that Christ would have his
followers or his ministers to be <i>unnatural;</i> our religion
teaches us to be kind and good in every relation, to <i>show piety
at home,</i> and to <i>requite our parents.</i> But we must not
make these offices an excuse from our duty to God. If the nearest
and dearest relation we have in the world stand in our way to keep
us from Christ, it is necessary that we have a zeal that will make
us forget <i>father and mother,</i> as Levi did, <scripRef id="Luke.x-p68.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.33.9" parsed="|Deut|33|9|0|0" passage="De 33:9">Deut. xxxiii. 9</scripRef>. This disciple was called to
be a minister, and therefore must not <i>entangle himself</i> with
the <i>affairs of this world,</i> <scripRef id="Luke.x-p68.3" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.2.4" parsed="|2Tim|2|4|0|0" passage="2Ti 2:4">2
Tim. ii. 4</scripRef>. And it is a rule that, whenever Christ calls
to any duty, we must not <i>consult with flesh and blood,</i>
<scripRef id="Luke.x-p68.4" osisRef="Bible:Gal.1.15-Gal.1.16" parsed="|Gal|1|15|1|16" passage="Ga 1:15,16">Gal. i. 15, 16</scripRef>. No
excuses must be admitted against a present obedience to the call of
Christ.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p69">III. Here is another that is willing to
follow Christ, but he must have a <i>little time</i> to <i>talk
with his friends</i> about it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p70">Observe, 1. His request for a dispensation,
<scripRef id="Luke.x-p70.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.61" parsed="|Luke|9|61|0|0" passage="Lu 9:61"><i>v.</i> 61</scripRef>. He said,
"<i>Lord, I will follow thee;</i> I design no other, I am
determined to do it: but <i>let me first go bid them farewell that
are at home.</i>" This seemed reasonable; it was what Elisha
desired when Elijah called him,<i>Let me kiss my father and my
mother;</i> and it was allowed him: but the ministry of the gospel
is <i>preferable,</i> and the service of it more urgent than that
of the prophets; and therefore here it would not be allowed. Suffer
me <b><i>apotaxasthai tois eis ton oikon mou</i></b>—<i>Let me go
and set in order my household affairs,</i> and give direction
concerning them; so some understand it. Now that which was amiss in
this is, (1.) That he looked upon his following Christ as a
melancholy, troublesome, dangerous thing; it was to him as if he
were <i>going to die</i> and therefore he must take <i>leave</i> of
all his friends, never to <i>see them again,</i> or never <i>with
any comfort;</i> whereas, in following Christ, he might be more a
comfort and blessing to them than if he had continued with them.
(2.) That he seemed to have his worldly concerns more upon his
heart than he ought to have, and than would consist with a close
attendance to his duty as a follower of Christ. He seemed to hanker
after his relations and family concerns, and he could not part
easily and suitably from them, but they stuck to him. It may be he
had bidden them <i>farewell</i> once, but <i>Loth to depart bids
oft farewell,</i> and therefore he must bid them <i>farewell</i>
once more, for they are <i>at home at his house.</i> (3.) That he
was willing to enter into a temptation from his purpose of
following Christ. To go and bid them <i>farewell</i> that were
<i>at home at his house</i> would be to expose himself to the
strongest solicitations imaginable to alter his resolution; for
they would all be against it, and would <i>beg</i> and <i>pray</i>
that he would not <i>leave them.</i> Now it was presumption in him
to thrust himself into such a temptation. Those that resolve to
walk with their Maker, and follow their Redeemer, must resolve that
they will not so much as parley with their tempter.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Luke.x-p71">2. The rebuke which Christ gave him for
this request (<scripRef id="Luke.x-p71.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.62" parsed="|Luke|9|62|0|0" passage="Lu 9:62"><i>v.</i> 62</scripRef>):
"<i>No man, having put his hand to the plough,</i> and designing to
make good work of his ploughing, will <i>look back,</i> or look
behind him, for then he makes balks with his plough, and the ground
he ploughs is <i>not fit</i> to be sown; so thou, if thou hast a
design to follow me and to reap the advantages of those that do so,
yet if thou <i>lookest back</i> to a worldly life again and
hankerest after that, if thou <i>lookest back</i> as Lot's wife did
to Sodom, which seems to be alluded to here, <i>thou art not fit
for the kingdom of God.</i>" (1.) "Thou art not <i>soil</i> fit to
receive the <i>good seed</i> of the kingdom of God if thou art thus
<i>ploughed</i> by the <i>halves,</i> and not gone through with."
(2.) "Thou art not a <i>sower</i> fit to <i>scatter</i> the good
seed of the kingdom if thou canst <i>hold the plough</i> no
better." Ploughing is in order to sowing. As those are not fit to
be <i>sown</i> with divine comforts whose <i>fallow ground</i> is
not first <i>broken up,</i> so those are not fit to be employed in
sowing who know not how to break up the fallow ground, but, when
they have <i>laid their hand to the plough,</i> upon every occasion
look back and think of quitting it. Note, Those who begin with the
work of God must resolve to <i>go on</i> with it, or they will make
nothing of it. Looking back inclines to <i>drawing back,</i> and
<i>drawing back</i> is to <i>perdition.</i> Those are not fit for
heaven who, having set their faces heavenward, face about. But he,
and he only, that <i>endures to the end, shall be saved.</i></p>
</div></div2>